Kerala Ecotourism

 

A new concept in tourism industry is eco tourism which is growing at a fast speed and has unlimited scope. Any tourism program which is nature based, ecologically sustainable, where education and  interpretation both can be focused is a major concept and where local people are benefited can be called eco tourism.  As defined by the  Eco tourism Society, it is the  responsible  travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people.

Ecotourism in Kerala.
The western Ghats of Kerala having a protected  area of 2324 Sq km in two national parks  and 12 wild sanctuaries .The area with its tropical forest eco system, offers a natural advantage for better development of  eco tourism. The area can be developed as an epicenter zone  in the real sense. It has now become  necessary to evolve appropriate  location, specific strategies  for sanctuaries in Kerala, in the sphere of  eco tourism development. Product development eco tourism system needs its proper marketing, environment impact,  assessment, management and monitoring etc. in systematic way. The state Govt. pursued with full interest to develop eco tourism culture in the state and many steps have been taken regarding  the issue. In this connection, Govt. of Kerala has established a proper wing with dedicated staff  and concrete policy for good results about the eco tourism in the state. Thenmala  ecotourism project was established in and around Shenduruney  Wildlife Sanctuary with the cooperation of different  departments such as Forest, Irrigation and Tourism. It is first planned ecotourism growing destination in India. The second eco tourism  destination in the state is Thekkady, offer to visitors a remarkable experience. The other related places and destinations which are still virgin needs more keen attention to establish them for different purposes. There should be provision for the visitor to be educated about the environment. The economic benefit of such an activity should accrue to the local population to ensure sustainability. Ecotourism projects the concept of sustainability in tourism, that is, the needs of today's visitor should not be met at the expense of future generations. The total area of the present sanctuary is 777 sq kms and it is located in the southern most part of western Ghats.70% of it includes tropical evergreen and semi evergreen forests.

 

Thakkedy
What make Thekkedy a unique destination on the tourism map are its climate, landscape and possibility of watching wildlife closely on the lake shore while taking a boat cruise. The prime  attraction of tourists visiting Thekkady  is a boat cruise in the periyar  artificially  lake. Due to the submergence of low –laying forest areas, following the construction of the Mullapperiyar Dam in 1895. It offers a variety of opportunities to cater to the needs of various classes of tourists. India Eco-Development Project funded by world bank at Periyar wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady, established an Eco tourism component, the Thekkedy Tiger Trail in 1998 and appointed the concerned persons to identify sustainable tourism activities   and involvement of local people .The  project consists of two main issues : to monitor protected areas and to get local people  involved in it. The basic objectives were to reduce the negative impact of local people on the sanctuary and to involve  encroachers in conservation, instead of exploitation .They commenced a Bamboo Rafting Programme for tourist in November 2002 and  the community was benefited by major share by that earnings. The Tribal Trekkers Eco Development Committee and The Periyar Samrakshan got involved in the project and got jobs as day trekkers, arranging  nature camps, horse riding and special programmes for the tourists.  

 

Periyar Tiger Trail :-
Trekking concept in Tekkady is an adventurous activity in dense forest includes two short packages, One night and two nights stays within Periyar Sanctuary and National Park. During Peak seasons it is allowed  two times in a week. The trekker must be physically strong enough to determines to some degree the difficulty of the path chosen which is yet undulating. In the beginning , the trek has  easy footpath, after that  team enters terrain and vegetation where it is difficult to go through untouched  landscape without tracks. The area is without any facility. So it is important to arrange all as per the need of the adventure activity  and carry .As per the rules and regulation of the Sanctuary, max five persons ( Tourists ) along with  five  professionals  guides and one armed forest guard is allowed . Guides must know every nook and cranny of the Thekkedy forest. Meals and overnight in erected tents. The popularity of the project is increasing rapidly day by day but govt. is restricted to maintain its sensuality which is very important in conserving the Sanctuary. As know that the main concept of eco tourism is to involve the locals as main care taker so that  it will be benefited to them. Same policies have been applied here by the authorities. All former poachers have been converted to devoted trackers with a genuine interest in conserving the Sanctuary.

Bamboo Rafting ( Periyar Tigers Reserve ):-
Ex Vayana Bark Collectors initiated a Bamboo Rafting programme for tourists in Nov 2002.The main attraction of the package is offered to nature lovers to enjoy the panoramic beauty of Periyar lake. The strength in  one slot is ten tourists  and will be accompanied by five guides and one armed guard per day. They can enjoy trekking for two hours , one and half  hours long rafting  upwards  and come back after lunch .The can see large mammals , birds and indigenous people fishing in the lake.

 

Day Trekking Programme:
The  trekking duration for day trek is three hours for 5 guests in one slot  accompanied by one tribal youth from the same area which can be arranged and confirmed by EDC ( an eco development Committee ) consists of 20 tribal trekkers cum guides. All the trekkers are well know for the richness of an ideal tropical evergreen  forest within short span of time.

 

Jungal Inn.
Hut like inn on double occupancy  are available  for night stay inside the forest which are well furnished ,near by a wetland. The experience  during the stay in jungle Inn  by watching the free movement of wildlife especially ,if it is a full moon day will remarkable and unforgettable .Meals will be served by a accompany  guide during the stay.

 

Extra Activities : -

Learning Program In Bamboo Grove :  Unique tribal like  huts and  tents erected in a vast bamboo grove in middle of Anavachal Vayal are offered to serious nature lovers for their experimental learning programme. A seminar hall has been built  for sensitization programme  include interactive lectures by topic  specific  faculties/ professionals, simple food, accommodation in the tent etc.

 

Tribal Heritage
Tribal life and culture of 50 years has been recreated in an exhibition centre in the tribal hamlet. It is a 2 hour program me  and includes an exhibition and interpretation of the heritage and a nature trail in the hamlet. They get acquainted with their traditional life, such as medicinal herbs ,weapons  musical instrument, household articles etc.

 

Wild Adventures:
This activity includes interesting interaction regarding  nature in the midst of typical evergreen forest in Gavi,about 40 kms from Thekkady.The complete activity is conducted by the eco development committees of Meenar,Gavi and Lochupanpa besides this ,it includes vehicle safari from Thekkady to Gavi and trekking in the forest. Animal sighting is common and abundant, Out door camping in the forest , tree top stay and night safari are also arranged on request.

 

Attraction At Thekkday

 

Elephant Ride : Visitors can go for a short elephant ride near the Turtle nature park after contacting the wildlife information centre near boat landing.

 

Boating Boating system are managed by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation ( KTDC ) and the Kerala Forest Department .Boats can be hired for a 2 hour cruise, the easy option for sighting wildlife.

 

Watch Towers and Rest House : A watchtower and a forest rest house, one each at Edappalayam and Manakkavala for night stay inside forest are available with advance  booking.

 

Visitors Centre
Visitors arriving at Periyat Tiger Reserve can drop by at the Gandhi Park near Kumily town.All vital information on the reserve is provided here. It is advised to contact the Wildlife Information Centre at boat landing.

 

Conclusion
The  success of the Eco Development project in the Periyar Tiger Reserve reflects the concern for achieving a balance between conservation of the sanctuary and livelihood of people living in and around it. The involvement of local communities in Ecotourism activities is a step in the right direction. It provides for alternative sources of income to local communities, which live in and around protected areas, thus decreasing their dependence on forest resources and increasing their commitment to keeping the forests in tact. For the vast protected area network in india, the lessons from the Periyar experience is important, as it legitimately shows  the need for communities and conservation to go hand in hand.